A/N:
1- Read these. If you ask me a question and its been answered in author's notes, I will not respond. There is a reason why I write these.
2- Yes, I promise you at some point in time, you will most likely find one or more grammatical errors in this story. INCYAL is constantly being edited and re-edited. If you are looking for me to care that there is a misused comma in chapter 5 paragraph 3, you are talking to the wrong person. Simply, no fucks were given. At some point it will be fixed. But to spam me in PM or on tumblr about it is not only insulting (that apparently that was all you got out of the story) but frankly unneeded and a waste of your time. Any insults to my editor Jen and you will be treated as if you have the plague. Jen is a goddess and without her you would have nothing to read.
INCYAL is undergoing its 3rd revision as of March 13, 2013. Therefore whatever grammatical errors you find, breath deep, close your eyes. I promise the world will not end. Continue reading and kindly pretend that they are not there, for I promise you they are in the process of being revised now.
3- I have a tumblr, it is featured on my profile. Go to it. Most likely whatever questions you have can be answered from the information on that page. If they cannot, feel free to message me. However, make sure that your question hasn't already been answered at nauseum in either author's notes or on my tumblr page.
I own nothing!
Edited graciously by livinglifeasitis. She is angel and without her linguistic skills this story would read like the musings of an illiterate child scribbling in crayon on construction paper.
The poster was created by shadowscraving whom, is also a goddess amongst us mere peasants.
Come on love draw you swords
shoot me to the ground
You are mine and I am yours
Let's not Fuck around
Because you are the only one
Yes you are the only one
Draw your swords, Angus and Julia Stone
Scrathclyde, England
1492 AD
"Will she recover?" Wiping sweat from Lilly's forehead, Lyanna looked past Katerina to Elspeth, silently relaying her concerns.
"Come, Love. You must be exhausted," Elspeth coaxed, trying to direct Katerina from the room.
"No, I will stay with Lyanna and Lilly."
"No, it's not necessary," Lyanna urged, attempting to sound confident. Katerina hesitated for a few moments more before leaving, thankfully before Lilly writhed and moaned, her body contorting strangely, nails scratching at the linen sheets.
It was starting already, her turning, tampered briefly, but now conflicting, with the Wolfsbane. As the herb served to both slow her transformation, it also posed a threat, poisoning her transforming body as it coursed through Lilly's veins.
When Elspeth reentered the room, Lyanna questioned, "What should we do? It's making her sick."
Elspeth shook her head, unsure, "This is why we should not have grown the Wolfsbane. A Thiarna, déan trócaire orainn," she prayed, crossing herself. (Lord, have mercy on us). The old witch continued praying and murmuring to herself as both women watched Lilly's reactions intensify, in horror.
Nathaniel was never like this. Although Lyanna hadn't been there when he turned and at the time his blood hadn't been poisoned with Wolfsbane. She should have asked him more questions. She should have made him explain everything to her. She should have listened to him when he suggested that they send Lilly to his relatives outside Venice to stay.
It was too late now. Lilly was going to turn and there was nothing Elspeth or Lyanna could do about it. From what little Lyanna understood, she knew Lilly wouldn't completely transition until the next full moon, if she made it that long.
"Blood?" Lyanna questioned. Once, close to two years past, he'd bitten her on accident. In the heat of the moment, without thinking he sunk his teeth into her but stopped when she cried out in pain, realizing what he had done. Then Nathaniel had simply explained that it was an urge. The closer they got to a full moon, the more they craved it, needed it even.
"You will likely incite her," Elspeth warned.
"Anything is better than this."
"You're blood is poisoned as well, Lyanna. You will not help her." That was the problem, all of their blood was poisoned, hers, Katerina's, Elspeth. They all drank the same teas, the same wines, all laced with a lethal concentration of Vervain and Wolfsbane.
"Jon…." She feared asking any of the other servants to donate. They wouldn't understand, they'd be scared, confused. Only Jon wouldn't ask questions, because only Jon knew. More than he should. Having been with the Lockwood's since he was a child, he was well aware of the family's secret, mayhaps no more, than when he'd drug Nathaniel's dead body into the house, close to year past. Watching quietly as Lyanna fell apart, gathering her dead husband, best friend, into her lap, trying desperately to revive someone who had long since been dead- neck snapped.
Elspeth seemed unsure, but followed the request leaving to gather the old man.
"Shh… I promise Lilly. I promise this will only be for a short time." The illness, yes but the sickness, the curse that had been laid upon her, that was for life.
It wouldn't be long until now and she knew it. News was surely spreading: plans being devised and set in motion. Their little world etching closer to become precariously more threatened as the pack would become bolder in their intentions.
"Nik," feet splashed through a river that ran red with wolves' blood, black hair blowing behind her. And laughter, the sound he'd forgotten from almost four hundred years past.
"Do you love me, Niklaus?" Blue eyes stared down at him, white skin rising under thirsty hands.
No he didn't love her.
Water slid down her as she crawled onto the bare rock, wet blond hair spilling over shoulders.
"Do you want me, Niklaus?"
Yes, he did want her.
"Do you fear me, Niklaus?" blue lips questioned as Anne's tired eyes looked back at him.
No, he told himself. He didn't fear her.
"Do you miss me, Niklaus?" His brother's hands ghosting up her sides, Elijah's mouth on Hannah, who morphed into Lyanna, making him feel sick.
He didn't know. He hated her. How could you miss someone you hated?
"Do you need me, Niklaus?" Hannah knees digging into his sides, dagger in hand.
His mind said no, but something else answered yes.
"Will you leave me, Niklaus?" Lyanna again, disappearing through rows of plants as he desperately tried to follow.
It seemed she always left first, without his permission.
"Do you remember me, Niklaus?" The women held each other, Lyanna's hand wrapped in Hannah's hair, kissing her cheek, Anne's hand resting on Lyanna's waist, on cue, their stares focusing on him.
His eyes snapped open. He'd been drifted to sleep, in the chair by the fire. Damn her. It was the second night in a row that he'd had that same dream. And it would not be the last.
When they road over the hill, they could see it, dozens of glass bottles, canters stacked in the back of wagon. Katerina stood idly by, chatting with Trevor on the edge of the garden, laughing as he tugged as strands of her hair, chased her playfully about.
A look passed between Elijah and Niklaus. They had a month. What were they to do with 31 days? They couldn't feed in the daylight, they hadn't intended on staying so long. And the temptation of Eden over the hill was too hard to resist.
Were they not still trying to lure in the doppelganger? It had been two days since they had last step foot on the Greyshaw lands, spoken to any of its inhabitants. That should suffice to be long enough to wait, clearing up any suspicion from the other night. Making their way over the hills, they dismounted the closer they got to grounds and garden.
"Klaus!" Katerina yelled out, waving, forgetting all about Trevor at the sight of the Mikaelson Lords. Smiling politely they dismounted, making pleasant conversation with Trevor.
"And what is this?" Klaus questioned pointing at the cart.
"Lyanna says they are spoiled. That they should be disposed of before they make someone sick." The men looked at the cart full of harvested Wolfsbane, and other odd items.
"I thought it tasted fine," Katerina shrugged.
"And the other items?"
Emerging from the house, Lyanna heard the brothers before she saw them. Of course they would come on a day like this. A day when she was attempting to subtly rid the house of Wolfsbane, amidst Katerina's numerous questions and the servants knowing looks. All she needed was one more set of eyes to wonder, more ears to hear gossip and mouths to spread developments.
"Donations," she called out, throwing the last few items into the cart before pulling herself into the coachman's seat.
She didn't even both to look at them, poignantly she especially avoided Niklaus's eyes, still embarrassed by their encounter before. What had he been doing in the woods? Did he hear them? See them! Well it was too late now, he'd already practically seen her naked, making it difficult for her to attempt to maintain some dignity.
It was strange to watch a woman in skirts hoist herself up, grabbing the reins, especially a lady. Prompting both men to silently wonder if Greyshaw had servants at all, as the women seemed to do all work designated for those whom lowborn.
"A widow, that lives just south of here," she finished, trying to pull her skirt from the wheel, quelling the horse that seemed uninterested in laboring and keeping her balance at once.
"Here," rushing forward, Elijah bent to help her free herself.
The horse started to shift nervously, as her hands unknowing pulled against the reins too tightly. In quicker than a blink, Niklaus reached out, grabbing just below the bridal forcing the horse to submit.
"Do you have a stable master?" he barked. Two days and he couldn't deny that he'd thought of her a few times, imagined her perky breasts, perfect nipples peaking out under a wet white shift.
Handing her the end of her dress, Elijah smiled up at precocious blond as she blushed, returning his, thanking him softly.
"Gods…" Klaus wanted to snicker, annoyed. Could Elijah make himself any more obvious? It was pathetic, embarrassing really. He hardly knew the woman. Had spoken to her maybe a few times, seen her naked once (partially naked, Klaus ensured himself), overheard some random (alcohol infused musings) and now every time his brother looked at the widow Lockwood he could see the wheels turning in his mind, pining. Gods, they were vampires they shouldn't be pining. It was beneath them.
Clearing his throat to ruin their little moment, Lyanna turned answering, "Jon is not feeling well." In truth she worried that the blood he'd given over the past two days had weakened him permanently.
"Is there no one else?"
"I am sure there is, but it is really no trouble," she answered, attempting to hide her obvious annoyance at Niklaus's pesky questions.
"Are you going alone?"
Nonchalantly she nodded her head, yes, as she seated herself on the narrow bench. By the way she held the reins it was clear that the journey would end badly.
This is why women are not stable masters, Niklaus snidely, mentally noted. One quick jerk of the horses head and she'd completely lose control.
"You are going into the woods alone?" he questioned, eying her in a way that spoke volumes about the things he'd seen, the things that he clearly knew too much about and she wished to keep secret.
"Yes," she answered carefully.
"Are they not dangerous?" He toyed with her.
Interrupting, Elijah obliged, "This is most certainly a job for two. Let me help you." Before she could refuse, he countered with, "I insist," hopping into the cart. Easily she moved over for him, handing him the reins.
Before Niklaus could say anything more the cart heaved forward, Lyanna, gripping his arm. As they headed towards the woods away from Trevor, Katerina and Niklaus, Niklaus felt a strong urge to make some biting comment.
Stupid woman, heading off into the woods alone, she was likely to get attacked again.
"I think they make a lovely pair," Katerina mused, snaking her arm around Niklaus's.
"They are not a pair, Pet."
She smiled at the endearment. "However, they could be."
"No, they most certainly could not," Niklaus wanted to reply. Fuck her or feed on her perhaps, but court her Elijah would not.
The cart tossed and shook as they rattled through the broken path. Following her instructions they rode for close to twenty minutes before coming upon a homey little cottage tucked between the trees.
"And who lives here?"
"An old widow, Grace, her husband passed years before."
"And she stays here alone?"
"Yes."
"How melancholy," he remarked.
Lyanna smiled, "I think she prefers it that way. However, Trevor has been known to visit on occasion."
Trevor? Interesting.
"We used to come here all the time when we were children, Nathaniel and I," it was the first time she had mentioned her husband directly.
"Your late husband?"
Helping her from the cart, his hands slid down her back, as he could feel her pulse quicken. "Yes. We used to run all through these woods, swim in the lake, climb trees, until we didn't anymore."
Amused, he answered, "And why was that?"
"Ladies do not do those types of things." Reaching into the back of the cart, she procured a crude sack of a few items, candles mostly, a few bottles of wine and bread.
"I thought these were spoiled?" he questioned. Knowing full well that they weren't, he could smell the herbs mingled in with the fermented grapes.
"These are fine," she quickly answered.
Before he could question further the cottage door opened, an older woman with long grey hair, stepping out.
"Lyanna!" she called. She hobbled out to them.
"I have brought you a few things, Grace."
The old woman looked at the packages before she addressed Elijah, "You are too kind, My Lady," she murmured, digging through the random items before allowing Lyanna to introduce her to the strange young Lord that accompanied her.
"I have known Lady Lockwood, a long time. Did she you tell you that?" The old woman questioned as Lyanna carried the items inside for her.
"Yes, she mentioned it," Elijah replied offering her, his arm.
"She was a sweet girl, beautiful girl," she baited none too subtly.
"She still is…" Elijah accepted.
"Elspeth has a way of taking good care of her, the Manor, all of them now that Nathaniel has passed. However, a woman could always use another hand…."
"Grace," Lyanna called from inside the small hut, "Where would you like me to set these?"
As the old woman entered the small doorway, Elijah hovered outside. When Grace motioned for him to come inside and still he did not enter, she looked at him briefly for less than a moment, before inviting him in.
Cramped, he watched as the old woman glowed with excitement at every item she pulled from the sack, "Candles Lyanna. Wax candles."
It took little examination for Elijah to notice that leafs had been dipped into the wax, Wolfsbane. When burnt, the wax heated would undoubtedly give off a scent; fill the air with irritants for unwelcomed guests. Smart, very clever he noted.
"We had too many."
"And wine? I hardly partake anymore."
Eying Grace closely, as if to convey some private message, that Elijah was already clued in on, she responded, "Just in case."
They stayed for a while longer, carrying on pleasant conversation with the obviously lonely woman. Before long, Lyanna rose, announcing that they couldn't impose any longer. As they left, Grace followed them out the door, watched as they climbed into their wagon and headed North back through the forest.
Breaking their brief silence, "If you do not find it too bold, may I ask a question?" he started.
"Yes."
"Why is it that those whom live on your lands, work for you, call you by your given name? Do you not find it inappropriate?"
She paused, considering her answer before she finally responded, "Before my late husband passed, all I was called was Lady Lockwood. But when he died… things changed," another long pause, as if she was considering what and if she should say more. Finally she continued, "I had no children, Lilly is not wed and there are no males left in the Lockwood line. Some do not consider these lands mine or me a Lockwood. Those who shared that opinion left our home, or do not recognize Lilly and I as Nathaniel's heirs. Those who have stayed, remained loyal, have known me since I was a child. It seems foolish to demand more from them than they have already given."
"But you are Lady of these lands."
"To be a Lady you must be born a lady and I was not." It was awkward having a conversation so personal with someone she hardly knew. Things she hardly even discussed with Elspeth or Lilly before.
"You wed the Lord of these lands. Are you are not, by law of King Henry, Lady of Greyshaw?"
"Lowborn orphans make wives, perhaps, but not ladies," the horse had slowed considerably as she pointed in direction of a small stream.
Interesting, small pieces of things they'd picked up, murmurings throughout the village and neighbors coming together.
"How did you come to be at Greyshaw Manor?" Stopping, he helped her out of the wagon as they moved to collect bottles from the back.
"I was found," she answered, without making eye contact, walking to the stream. "Elspeth found me wandering the moors, crying, she said." Uncorking the bottle she poured the dark, rich liquid into the water. "No mother, no explanation, just my name pinned to my clothing."
The smell of Wolfsbane and Vervain filled the air, irritating Elijah's senses for a moment.
"I had a few relatives, none that wanted me. They never found my mother and Elspeth wanted a child. I wandered here, I guess, or was left and have not gone since," she paused watching the clear water run red, "Pathetic story, now that I hear it out loud, is it not?" she joked.
"Depends whom you ask," he answered gently, hinting at his sympathies.
Quickly changing the subject she questioned, "Your brothers. Has it always been just the three of you?"
"No we have a sister, Rebekah."
"And your mother and father?"
"Passed."
"Your sister? Is she at Harte Manor as well?"
"No, she stays with family in Spain."
"You're not like your brothers," she answered abruptly, making eye contact with him for the first time in awhile.
"In what way?"
"Many," she answered ambiguously, "You are not so, bold as your brothers."
"Mayhaps appearances can be deceiving," he offered.
What she wanted to say was that he was gentle although she didn't wish to insult him, but it was true. Although she didn't know much of Kol, there was a clear contrast between Elijah and Niklaus. There was something reserved about him, refined. She felt comfortable around him. As if they had known one another for years and were old friends. Everything about him was like taking a deep breath, so easy, not confusing.
Niklaus was quite the opposite. Every word his said seemed to come out crude and accusatory. There was nothing gentle about him. He looked at her as if she'd committed some egregious crime against him. And every word from his mouth dripped with condescension, leaving her to replay each conversation afterwards in her mind, furious that she had not said more, matched his directness, confused and inevitably irritated. Even in their few encounters she felt as if she spent the entire time, holding her breath, heart racing.
"He seems to be quite taken with Katerina," she offered, hinting at Niklaus, immediately regretting it afterwards. Why should she care?
"Katerina is a charming woman."
"Yes, indeed," she answered, looking down.
"Lyanna…"
"Hmm?" She could feel his fingers touch her shoulder, requesting her attention.
They looked at one another, a pause between them, Lyanna's stomach fluttered, as he leaned forward, tucking strands of hair behind her ear, his lips gently pressing against hers. It was soft, simple, non-demanding. Everything that Lyanna thought it would be. Taking a chance, before he pulled away, she parted her lips, giving him permission as she could feel his tongue trace her bottom lip. If she were still a maiden, it might be scandalous being alone in the woods with a man, kissing him. But without witnesses and no longer claiming to be innocent, she welcomed him further as his tongue brushed against hers, something knotting in her stomach. Breathing, she felt like she were finally breathing.
They had been kissing maybe a moment, it could have been an hour, or just happened but Niklaus was quite sure it had gone on long enough. Not sparing subtly or even courtesy, he curtly cleared his throat. Interrupting the couple as Elijah pulled away and Lyanna continued to just stare at him.
"I was concerned. It will be sun down soon. We thought that mayhaps you may need some assistance." Katerina looked to Lyanna apologetically and approvingly all at once. Lyanna appeared more or less perplexed.
"No, we are just finishing," Elijah answered coldly.
Grabbing the horse's reins, he offered to help Lyanna up into the cart, but she politely declined.
"Let us walk."
Although they were yards ahead and Katerina was prattling on about something, begging for him to chase her, Niklaus found his attention, more his hearing, drifting back to the conversation taking place behind them. Elijah was spouting poetry and she was eating it up, replying in kind- making Niklaus nauseous with their blatant affection. He'd attempt something funny and she'd laugh. Only Elijah wasn't funny and neither was she in need of assistance when his free arm reached out, offering her it as they made their way over an uneven path.
The whole thing was too cliché for him, too human, annoyingly saccharine sweet in its genuineness. Like a tick, a consistent high pitched noise growing louder by the moment. Making him wish he'd continued his exploration of Katerina earlier as she seemed eager to oblige or possibly left the Lockwood lands all together, went into the nearest village and found his next meal.
As they passed out of the woods onto the lands, both Elijah and Lyanna stopped behind, continuing their conversation. When Niklaus excused himself from Katerina, gathered their horses and headed back towards the garden, he caught them again. Hand on his chest; she leaned in as if to kiss her once more when Niklaus made a point to make his presence known before they could continue further.
"Elijah," she nodded.
Disappointed, Elijah instead kissed her cheek, "Tomorrow, Lyanna," he promised. Lyanna? What was this? Now they were addressing each other by their given names?
Her name is not Lyanna. Her name was Lady Lockwood, Hannah! he wanted to briskly correct.
"Good day, Lord Mikaelson," she replied to Niklaus, distant, chilly. Elijah got pleasantries, an informal address, like they had known each other for years, working their way to familiarities and he got the courtesy of a complete stranger.
He considered explaining to her after all that he'd seen he was a little more familiar with her than a stranger, that he'd call her Lyanna any damn time he pleased. To hell with her formalities, he'd simply choose not to reciprocate. But her approach made it particularly awkward for him to even attempt such, so instead he mumbled, "Lady Lockwood."
"And what were you doing today?"
Kol, smirked, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth, "Playing with the serving girls."
"Charming," Niklaus snickered, looking at the dead body lying on the floor.
"Clean it up," Elijah ordered, disgusted.
"And where were the two of you?"
"Doppelganger," Niklaus answered.
"How is our favorite sacrifice?"
Niklaus made an ambivalent face, "Rambling on about young Lady Lockwood. Apparently she has been ill."
"Did you see Lilly?" Kol questioned.
"No, she was noticeably absent." It was no secret to either of the brothers that Lilly was most likely changing. If they had had any doubts, the mass disposal of Wolfsbane set their minds at ease.
"How inconvenient," Kol added. Wolves, nothing more disgusting than a female wolf, he'd be forced to find someone else to enjoy now, while they wasted away for thirty days.
"A letter from Rebekah?" Niklaus mused, holding up the parchment, "Anything we should know?" They hadn't heard from her in weeks. She'd disappeared from their lands in Spain, without word or a trace, as planned.
"No sign," Kol replied. The only reason he was there to begin with. Mikael had found both he and Rebekah months before. They'd narrowly escaped, prompting Kol to take a sudden interest in Niklaus's doppelganger venture. The soon Niklaus broke the curse, the sooner he could easily kill Mikael and they all could return to their lives of relative decadence, unhunted.
Even on the run, Rebekah refused to go with Kol and Ines to Scrathclyde. It seemed death was a more appealing option than seeing Niklaus again.
"And where is she now?"
"She was thin on details," Kol replied coyly, knowing that Rebekah's disappearance and his lack of knowledge of her whereabouts all but drove Klaus crazy, that Kol knew something he did not, making the secret all that much sweeter for Kol to keep.
"Where were you, while Klaus molested the doppelganger?" Kol questioned, dragging the girl's lifeless body across stone floors.
"Pawing at Lady Lockwood," Klaus darkly snickered.
Kol dropped her legs, "Elijah… I did not think you had it in you," a lewd smile shadowed his face, "Did she show you all the things she promised?"
"Kol," both men said in unison, Elijah then looking to Klaus as he peered back down at his stack of letters.
"If you are not inclined, she was simply begging for someone-"
"Kol!" Elijah cut him off.
"Careful, Kol, I think Elijah has taken a liking to our dear widowed neighbor," Klaus commented reproachfully.
"Get rid of that body and do not ruin the rugs," Elijah demanded as Kol rolled his eyes, lifting the girl from the floor and carrying her out of the room.
"You may be interested to know that Lyanna is orphaned and that there seems to be a particular dispute over their lands."
Casually tossing the letter aside, Klaus shrugged, "Why should I care? It has nothing to do with the doppelganger."
"And that Elspeth, the old woman, is a witch."
This caught his attention, "What?"
"The widow we saw in the woods, Grace, she made a few off hand comments, innocent. It's my understanding that she found Lyanna when she was a child."
The web weaved around Katerina was being more complex by the moment.
"They are quite close."
A hunter, surrounding herself with wolves, witches, holding his doppelganger, he disliked Lyanna before, but now she was out rightly a nuisance and possible threat.
"Lovely, not only is she a possible hunter, harboring a wolf but now raised by a witch. Anything else?"
It had been days but finally Lilly had begun to recover, the Wolfsbane working its way out of her system. She'd told Katerina that it was a sickness, nothing else, encouraging her to accept the Mikaelson's offer to entertain the women at Harte Manor. Although she was leery of Lilly going, Lilly insisted that she was feeling much better, caring on as if nothing had happened.
The girls begged her to come with them, as they entered the carriage.
"Really loves, I cannot. I have things to tend to here."
"Why must you burn the fields?" Lilly questioned confused. Sooner rather than later, it would be time. Lyanna would have to explain to her what was happening. Tell her things that she'd kept secret.
"The vines," she lied, "they are infested with insects. The only way to kill them is to burn the ground."
Thankfully neither Katerina nor Lilly had much of an interest in horticulture and therefore lacked the knowledge to question her practices.
"Cannot the grounds men do it?"
"Yes," standing on the peddled of the carriage, "But Elspeth asked for my assistance with a few things as well."
"Elijah will miss you…" Katerina teased.
Yes, Elijah, regrettably she would not be able to see him; thankfully she'd be spared Niklaus, however.
"You will have to give him my sincerest apologies."
"Hmm, I think he would prefer something else," she hinted.
"Lyanna, what was it like?" Lilly pried, forever interested in Lyanna's kiss in the woods, probably tiring of hearing of Katerina and Niklaus's petting sessions.
"Lovely," she smiled before hoping down and shutting the carriage door, "Have a good time."
Both girls peered out the small window, waving goodbye.
Not long after they had left, disappearing over the hills, she gathered the stable boys, a few of the grounds keepers and Elspeth. They needed to do it now, burn as much of it as they could before the girls, Lilly, got back.
When the women had arrived, Katerina was instantly disappointed to find that Klaus was not in attendance. Promptly apologizing from his brother's absence, Elijah was vague with details, offering his own company for the afternoon instead.
Lilly, excited to be anywhere other than Greyshaw, peered about the large relatively empty rooms. She'd only been inside Harte Manor a few times when she was a child. It looked nothing like what she remembered.
"Like what you see?"
Turning quickly she found him leaning against a pillar, arms crossed, staring at her amused. Lilly hadn't seen him for close to a week, but a strange feeling came over her, a mix of repulsion and attraction, the former of which hadn't been there before.
"That would depend," she answered boldly.
"On what?"
"What am I seeing?"
He could smell her, before he saw her. A mixture of a few different scents, one being the unmistakable heady perfume of animal, layered with her usual soft feminine smell. Wolves, they were such obnoxious creatures. He was better to stay away from her. The temptation to incite her, draw the violence out of her just to strike back was a little too tempting. But then again, Kol had only ever known male wolves before. A female was a novelty.
"Anything you like," he shot back, toying with her, as he stepped forward, a little too close to be considered polite.
Her whole life, Lilly felt like a child. She was always the baby. Kol talked to her like she was an equal and looked at her like she was a woman.
Heat radiated off of her. A wolf thing, he mused. Her skin prickled the closer he got, again both intense interest and slight repulsion.
Forever lacking in patience, courtly manners and subtly, Kol reached out attempting to touch her face. Without knowing it, she easily dodged his attempts.
"I will let you know if I find something," she replied tartly, turning before he could reply, exiting the room, in a way that beckoned for him to follow. Whether Lilly knew it or not yet, they were both natural hunters. Forever interested by nature, in the chase that had just begun.
Kol smiled. A female wolf. What an anomaly. Perhaps he could find something to occupy the next few weeks.
Klaus chose to be gone when they arrived, leaving the entertaining, the heavy lifting to Elijah. Where Klaus comes and goes as he pleases, holding no loyalties (it felt like) to anyone, responsible to only his self, Elijah had to be the glue. It may be Klaus's plan, but the problem with his little brother was that he was often short sided on details.
Maybe it was the wolf component that made him unreliable. Maybe it was just because that's how he always was. But it's Elijah that had to right those oversights. Klaus wanted to draw in the doppelganger, but forgot her at his leisure, so it's Elijah that will entertain the girl.
Klaus wished to collect Lyanna, let Ines probe at her for answers, but repelled her to the point were not a word could pass between them that wasn't steeped in contempt. Again, leaving Elijah fill in the blanks.
Kol and Lilly are noticeably missing. He hoped his brother wasn't doing anything unsightly, treating the young Lockwood with anything less than what should be custom to a woman of her station. The last thing they need with witches, wolves, hunters and Vervain about was a scandalized young woman.
"Are you always so serious?" Katerina questioned, curling strands of hair around her finger, looking up at him innocently, beneath Tatia's lashes, with Tatia's voice.
"Do you consider me so?"
"Yes."
"Then mayhaps I should not be."
There was something about her that he'd been so careful to avoid before, consuming his attentions with Klaus's plans and Lyanna. It was everything about her that screamed, "TATIA!" Even though he'd kept his distance, it was difficult to ignore their similarities in more than just their appearance.
Katerina had an intoxicating childhood naivety about her. Even if at times it was apparent that she was anything but. Her view of the world was so simple, lovely really.
He wondered if his brother had even bothered to notice, appreciate it.
"Come," she encouraged, taking his hand. He should have said, "No." At the very least pulled away and kept his distance. But he was a fool, as Klaus had snapped at him once long ago. He followed Katerina then and would soon follow her into an even more complicated web that they would weave: the four of them subconsciously.
He could smell it before he saw the flames. Vervain, Wolfsbane, charred dirt, the scent carried in the wind. He'd spent the night in the village, screwing and feeding on anything worth looking at. He undoubtedly announced his presence to any wolves that may have lingered in its shabby streets.
How he missed Venice, Rome, Paris, even England, where there was more to do. The women were much more attractive. The dinner selection more varied.
On horse he made his way over the moors, in early evening, close to a mile from Harte Manor and the doppelganger that had most likely been waiting for him to return all afternoon, when he caught the scent on the wind, instantly irritating his senses. As he rode on, smoke appeared in the distance, coming from the Lockwood Lands. Heeling the animal forward, it appeared as if Greyshaw Manor had been set ablaze as blackness billowed from behind the property.
Maybe it was curiosity, boredom, certainly (he convinced himself) it was not concern that prompted him to urge his horse further, riding to the side of the estate to find part of the south fields burning. Quickly dismounting, he looked around to see groundskeepers staring at the blaze, the old woman, Elspeth, wringing her hands and Lady Lockwood standing yards away, watching the fields go up in smoke.
"What are you doing?" he yelled, quickly approaching.
Caught off guard, she pulled her eyes from the fire, finding an unpleasant surprise.
"Burning the fields," she answered calmly.
"Are you mad?! What if it spreads?"
Picking up her skirts, she walked west, "It will not," prompting him to follow.
"How can you be sure?"
"I cannot," she answered simply.
"I ask again, are you mad?"
"Possibly," she smiled, looking back at the fire.
This would be the logical point to ask why she was burning the fields that they'd harvested from only weeks earlier. But there was no need. Niklaus knew why. She burned the Wolfsbane and subsequently the Vervain as well (by default) because she had a wolf now living in their home. One who could easily be poisoned by the plant she'd been using to protect them.
Like children, they watched the vines burn and crackle. The Vervain irritating both his eyes and skin as it defused through the air. When he started to cough, he was surprised to feel her touch his arm, handing him a white handkerchief.
Accepting it, he pressed it to his mouth as his lungs burned from the poison. Forcefully taking her by the elbow he guided her back, until they were out of the cross winds.
As Lyanna stood consumed in her thoughts, more than just the fire, he suspected, he looked down at the cotton she'd handed him. Green initials stitched into the corner: LL.
They'd been there silent, for more than ten, possibly fifteen minutes and it dawn on him, as he looked at her that he liked her like this: quiet, peaceful.
As per usual, it wouldn't last. "Should you not be hosting?"
Technically it was Elijah that had written the invitation. In fact, specifically so Ines could inspect her, feel out the mystery that was Lyanna Lockwood and possibly give him the answers he sought before he killed her.
"Where you not invited as well?" he asked rhetorically.
"There were more pressing matters," she nodded to the fire.
Silence passed between them, as he subconsciously fingered her handkerchief.
"Elijah will have been disappointed," he added cheekily.
"As I am sure, Katerina was," she shot back.
Both were most likely sorely disappointed with their absences. Although, this served to side step his purpose for the evening, for whatever reason he was relieved to find her here instead of at Harte Manor. His brother's subtle or rather none too subtle interest in the possible hunter made him uncomfortable as clear lines seemed to blur. Niklaus entertaining the doppelganger, indulging her with false affection served a purpose. Elijah's possible entanglement with Lady Lockwood reminded him of Elijah's brief but noted concern for Hannah years ago. Serving no purpose then, like now, other than leaving Niklaus annoyed.
Out of nowhere she questioned, "Do you care for Katerina?"
Common sense would call for him to lie and reply, "Yes."
He said nothing, only watched as ash dropped like black snowflakes from the sky, settling onto her pale yellow hair. The image was so very dark in nature, making her appear like an angel from hell: bathed in fire, wrapped in light. What was it that human's called their anti-God? Lucifer, barrier of light? Yes, mayhaps that is what he should call her. Lucifer, his own anti-God.
"Affection seems to be a fickle thing for men," she responded, when he gave her only silence.
"No, rather attention," he replied still not quite answering her question.
The sky had turned dark with evening, the air chillier and the forest black. But visible at its edge they stood. Four of them, more towering then the men he remembered encountering in the village. As Lyanna observed the fire, they watched her.
Wolves.
Catching his stare from her peripheral vision, Lyanna followed what had so keenly caught his attention. Surprised she was not. Since Lilly's accident on Lamas Day they were becoming increasingly ancy.
She'd debated for days as to whether she should burn the fields, dispose of their supply. It was the last thing they had, to keep them at bay. But it was too risky with Lilly, making it all too easy for her to be poisoned, either accidentally or purposely as they probably hoped.
Menacingly, they waited for their moment to strike. Tonight from a distance, watching, tomorrow and the next day would not be the same. They were toying with her, animals that enjoy rousing their prey before the hunt.
Picking up her skirts, she turned, heading in their direction, when an arm shot out stopping her.
"No."
"Niklaus…" she slightly warned, looked down at his hand.
"Lyanna…" Her name rolled off his tongue, like a dirty word, as if he'd said something incredibly personal, when it was only her name. One he'd never used before. He'd called her it a dozen times accidentally in his mind but never addressed her as such out loud.
"Your hand…"
"Your idiot notions of heroism…."he countered.
"They are waiting."
"You must excuse me, they do not look friendly."
"Says the man that is bruising my wrist," she shot back.
Releasing his grip, she went to take another step to find herself in the same position, "Niklaus…"
"No," he answered simply.
"Ignoring them will not make them disappear."
"I never implied that they would be ignored."
She looked down at her wrist.
What was he doing? Let her run off into the woods and get raped and ripped apart. What did he care? It was none of his business. Although, it would prove to be nice to have Ines squelch his curiosity over her resemblance. Constance had been clear before that a dead body would not due.
"I will speak with them," he muttered, annoyed at the things he'd do, the situations he unwillingly involve himself in, because he refused to her die before he got his answers.
Releasing her, he prepared himself to go speak with the pack, likely inciting the beginnings of a territory struggle (the last thing he needed) only to find Lyanna grab his arm in response.
"I do not remember asking you to do my bidding."
"Excellent because I do not follow orders," he snapped.
"And neither do I. Especially from men I barely know," releasing him, she moved to pass him again, when a hand caught that back of her skirt, pulling her. Things had been so pleasant, comfortable moments earlier. It was because they were both quiet. It took only a few words from them to easily slip into an argument.
"Trust me Pet, when I state an order you will know."
Pet? Not only was he interfering in her personal affairs but now he was calling her by endearments, and demeaning endearments none the less?
Both were sure that there was something that they had originally been arguing over. The purpose was in there, somewhere, the wolves waiting quickly being pushed to peripheral thoughts as the pair bickered back and forth.
Softening for a moment, she ignored his hand still rudely holding the back of her skirts, like a mother to a child, and reached up touching his cheek, in what normally would be an inviting gesture. Sweet her tone may have been, but curt her words were, "Address me as Pet, again and I shall rip out your tongue. Understand me, Love?"
The threat meant to be menacing was both annoying and slightly amusing. There it was, the same look, tone, she'd given him on Lammas day. The one that simultaneously made him want to both snap her neck and molest her, catching him off guard. Katerina loved being called Pet. Hundreds of years he'd preyed on naïve women and each and everyone swooned at the endearment.
And she hated it. Typical, so typical of what he was beginning to know as Lyanna: the fact that she wasn't typical. Not for women of that time.
He should give her what she'd asked for. He should leave her to the wolves, return home, and allow them to most likely drag her into the woods, violate the hell out of her and rip her apart. He should… but annoyingly he couldn't quite convince himself to leave.
Her death would put a remarkable cramp in his plans to sequester the doppelganger until the next full moon, he told himself. And furthermore, if anyone was going to have the pleasure of wringing Lyanna Lockwood's neck, it would be him.
From a distance, they knew they had been spotted. "Is that him?" News of the new lords spreading quickly throughout the area, whispers of their strange behavior followed. Other than the incident in the woods with Lilly, no member of any pack had been attacked yet. But it was only a matter of time.
"Vampires…" their silent conclusion and fear. The blood sucking brothers were moving in on the Lockwood lands, their lands, and from the look of it Lyanna herself.
"Soon," the leader answered, as he watched Lyanna turn away preferring to ignore them. The vampire, however, not so easily swayed.
"Klaus!"
Coming from the side grounds, Katerina and Elijah made their way towards them. He looked to Lyanna briefly, dropping her skirts, subconsciously tucking her handkerchief inside his coat.
"Where were you?" Katerina questioned, smiling, leaning provocatively close.
Elijah not far behind kept his distance, watching both Katerina, Klaus, surprised to find his brother here of all places.
"Elijah."
Taking his cue, he approached Lyanna, looking somewhat relieved that she was seemed relatively pleased to see him.
"I had business…" he murmured to Katerina, watching the conversation play out between Elijah and Lyanna.
"I thought I'd escort young Lady Lockwood and Ms Petrova back."
"How thoughtful of you."
"I had hoped you would have accompanied them this afternoon."
"I apologize." Leaning forward, he gently brushed flakes of ash from her hair, hovering over her as she looked up. They were close enough to kiss and surely might have if Klaus hadn't interrupted, "Elijah, come. Let us not bother these ladies any longer."
Ruining the moment, which seemed to be his thing now, Elijah teetered back on his toes, "Yes of course." Clearly he would need to speak with Elijah. Chastise him for being so easily enamored; remind him that they had more important things at hand. Separate his brother from his growing attachment that was continuing to make Klaus increasingly uncomfortable.
"Are you trying to seduce me?"
As she rounded the corner, looking for Katerina and Elijah during another visit they'd made to Harte Manor, he'd grabbed her from the shadows, eliciting a yelp as he pushed her against the wall.
Leaning in much too close to be considered proper, his face hovered inches from hers.
"Seduce you, My Lady…?" he started to question innocently, pressing himself closer. Since she'd turned Lilly found herself less able to control her thoughts, hormones often getting the best of her when around Kol.
Had her mother lived, Nathaniel, they would be appalled with her wanton behaviors. But Lilly couldn't seem to control herself. Leaning forward, she allowed him to kiss her, his lips hastily finding her neck, hands trailing down her sides, cupping her bottom, like she were some common whore.
"Could you be seduced?" he questioned, his teeth scrapping over her neck, making her unbearably wet.
"No," she answered, closing her legs, able to smell herself, and unbeknownst to her, Kol could as well, encouraging him further.
"Are you sure?" His fingers inched up the hem of her dress.
YES! YES! YES!, her mind screamed, wanting so badly for him to continue. But she was a Lady.
I'm a Lady. Lady Lilly Lockwood. Ladies don't do these things, her mind whispered, but her body didn't wish to listen.
Pushing him back, his lips made a popping noise as they released from her skin.
"Yes, positive," she tempted, her breasts peaking out of the top of her gown. Shooting him a confident smirk, she turned walking away.
Oh how she loved to play with him, almost as much as he loved to play with her. Wolves, he should be ashamed of himself for involving himself with wolves. They were such disgusting creatures.
Disgusting never looked so inviting.
Trotting after her, he was confident, before she died, he'd have Lilly Lockwood. He'd gone too long being teased at this point to not be rewarded.
It had been months since she'd come here. Maybe she feared it and that's why she stayed away. Running from ghosts, turning a blind eye, preparing for the war that would find its way to her doorstep, coming here made it too personal. It became a little too real, the memories she sought hard to forget.
The way things used to be. Before reality set in and pretty fantasies, a world of security, and promises disappeared.
She hesitated at the small wire gate, deciding whether or not to go in; she looked around, as if someone might be there to witness to her shame: that unlike most loving wives, she never came, would sooner burn it to the ground.
Creeping closer to the headstone, the flowers she carried in her hand had gone limp. She face twisted awkwardly as she read the words: Nathaniel Noah Jameson Lockwood, Loving Son, Husband, Friend and Brother.
Father, they forgot to add father. What did it matter now?
Staring at the weeds that had sprouted up around the stone, she thought of pulling them, before she decided against it, instead setting the flowers aside them.
"What do you wish me to do now?" she questioned, alone in cemetery as if she could get answers from a dead body.
Why did she come here?
Awkwardly, she stepped back, shifting her weight side to side. How much she hated him, and how much she missed him at the same time. He'd gotten her into this terrible mess and it seemed he would be the only one that would know how to get her out.
He was always better at these things than her. Nathaniel always knew what to do and say. It seemed she never said the right thing. As Lilly began to change, turn, evolve, she'd become increasingly scared, violent and Lyanna struggled to explain.
Days earlier, Lilly had flown into a rage, throwing objects against the wall, threatening Lyanna, scaring Katerina. Afterwards, when she'd curled into herself on the floor, shaking confused and Lyanna gathered her in her lap, Elspeth hovering on the edges, unsure what to say, Lilly cried, "What's wrong with me?"
"Nothing, Love," she answered, "This is what happens." When she'd first explained to Lilly the curse, the changes, she couldn't process the information, called her a liar, and distanced herself.
Later, after she'd had time, she came back, full of question, wanting to know about their history, Nathaniel, the pack and where she'd fit into it all. Lyanna feared what she should say. How much she should reveal. And explained the best she could, leaving out same of the essentials: the predicament they were in, what Nathaniel had done and her plan.
The problem with the dead was that they were able to leave their problems behind. Nathaniel was no more likely to give her guidance than he was to rise from his grave.
Why had she come?
For hope, maybe if she stayed long enough, with him, his memory, the answers would arrive. The only problem was with them also came things she only wished to put to rest.
She'd considered more than a few times seeking Elijah's council. Inquiring what he thought would be best. Telling him everything honestly, but each time she could feel it sitting on the edge of her tongue, waiting to be explained, she held back. He held her back.
He was too kind, to be burdened with such problems. He was a little too perfect to be tainted with such ugliness. Sinking slowly next to the tombstone, she rubbed her forehead.
Should she just give them the stone? Mayhaps it would pacify them. Nathaniel would say no. He'd tell her to find another way. But there was no other way. They were coming for her, she could feel it. They lurked in the woods, day and night, becoming bold as they walked onto the grounds at dusk, weaving between the burned rows of plants.
"If you tell me what to do, I will not question it, promise…." She answered, somewhat comically.
It was a private moment, inappropriate for him to encroach upon, bound to only incur scorn. But he didn't care. He'd been watching her quite some time, tracking her through the woods, as she entered the clearing.
When she'd looked about, before she entered the cemetery, he was sure she'd spotted him, knew he was there. But when she began to talk to herself, he decided not.
It had been weeks since he'd last been alone with her, not since the burnings. She'd carefully avoided each and every invitation they'd sent. She was even absent from Sabbath services he'd drug himself to with Elijah, curious to see if she'd attend. Katerina was short on details, explaining that Lyanna had been preoccupied. With what, Katerina didn't know.
The only contact he'd had with her wasn't even his own. Letters, many letters sent and received between her and Elijah. Pages of conversations, poems, jokes and musings, all private continuations of visits they'd had together. As Lyanna was unwilling to accept any invitation to Harte Manor, Elijah was more than willing to travel to Greyshaw, often for visits. Leaving Niklaus to question, wonder, paranoid what it was that they'd do during those visits. What was it that they spoke of? How was it that they filled their time?
Had Elijah betrayed him? Had he developed feelings for the hunter? He'd warmed him dozens of times that she was an obstacle, disposable and that sooner rather than later, she'd be dead. Elijah didn't seem to care.
It wasn't until later, after he'd left for another 'visit' alone, that Niklaus had found them. Stacks of letters, more than four dozen, even over the few short weeks. Pulling them from a drawer, wrapped carefully in twine, he'd thought twice before opening them. What if he'd discovered that he was right? That Elijah had betrayed him? Started a relationship with the possible hunter? Cared for her even?
The possibility of it drove him mad, causing him to delve in. Ripping them open, greedily pouring over every word. Surprised, disgusted and if her were honest, jealous at what he'd found.
Maybe he'd hoped for some torrid scandalous discussion. Evidence that he'd ravaged the widow as they'd all fantasized at one point in time. But what he found were genuine conversations. A discussion about books, world affairs, poetry, horticulture, private conversations, drabbles of random thoughts, humor, simple confession and genuine affection. They spoke to one another, wrote to one another without physical satiation but with more intimacy than Niklaus had ever known; each letter, as common as any conversation between perhaps a husband and his wife.
He'd gone through them all, his fingers making oil imprints on their edges as he read, reread and memorized things she'd said and his reply. Almost as if he was part of their world, their relationship.
When evening had come and he could sense Elijah's arrival was near, he recollected the letters in their stack, rebinding them with the twine, removing a few, sliding them into his coat.
It was a perversion, more than just an encroachment on their thoughts and relationship. It was wrong for him to do it and he knew it. But he couldn't help himself.
It wasn't his life. Her thoughts, sentiments, love wasn't for him. But he didn't care. Part of it would be his forever.
So as she denied another invitation, Lilly and Katerina's voices filling the halls of Harte Manor, he'd slipped out before he could be noticed, forced to stay and entertain. Hunger filled him with the impulse to travel east into the village, finding food, perhaps company. But the sight of a woman crawling over the moors, south bound, away from the Greyshaw, the forest, diverted his attentions.
He'd followed her at a distanced, waited as she stepped onto the old burial grounds. Listened to each word she spoke out loud to no one.
He felt a twinge of sympathy as she looked for help.
"They say the dead tell no tales," he interrupted.
Glancing over her shoulder, Lyanna was mildly embarrassed as she rose from the ground, dusting dirt from her skirts.
"I wasn't aware that I had an audience."
"Yes, well you must excuse my intrusion. I saw you walking and I was concerned."
"You, concerned? And what may I ask concerned you?" She questioned tartly, as if caring about another person was below him. Mayhaps she knew him too well, saw him much clearer than Katerina.
"Your friends have been lingering as of late. However, if I did not know better, I would not exactly call them friends."
It was Elijah that had first said something, encouraging Niklaus that they needed to act.
"I saw them again, hovering outside the woods," he threw out, attempting to be indifferent.
"Yes, as have I. Do you have a point Elijah?"
"They are a threat to your doppelganger, to the plan," he incited.
What he meant was they were a threat to Lyanna, Lilly and subsequently Katerina. He had a point. Elijah always had a point. And although Niklaus's concern had grown just as much, he'd be damned if he let Elijah know that.
"I am sure, that I have no idea what you are referring to."
Stepping onto hollow ground he asked, sincerely this time, "Do you fear them?"
She didn't respond, her face expressionless, as she looked at him indifferently.
"Do you fear anything?" Why did he care? Reading those damn letters was a mistake. He'd learned too much about her, inspiring thoughts, interest in her opinions, her life.
"Lairs…" she answered, poignantly looking at him.
It was a strange reply, cryptic as she so often was.
"And why do you fear liars?"
"They bring the worst kind of destruction," she answered coldly, exposing him in more ways than she even knew, making Niklaus feel instantly uncomfortable. Completely inappropriate, heartlessly, he replied on the defense, "Like your late husband?"
That stopped her in her tracks, if she was hurt, she didn't show it. Shrugging, smirking, she challenged, "Is that all you have, Love? That is it?"
He hated when she did that, so quickly dodged the little traps he'd set, coming back with something equally as a sharp.
No it wasn't all he had. He could hurl a mountain of insults. Starting with her husband, that fact that he was clearly unfaithful, sought another woman's bed, and fathered a bastard. He could point out that she was soon to be killed if not by him then the pack. That she was an idiot to think she could fend them all off. That she was weak, human and would soon break.
"Is this about Katerina?" He replied instead.
By the look on her face, he could tell he was getting warm.
"Do you care for her?"
That same question again, the one from that night by the fires when she'd given him the handkerchief that lay in a drawer next to the letters he'd stolen from Elijah, a few other prized things he'd collected over the years and paper he'd taken from Anne's home in Seres.
Lucifer, he'd coined her that night in his mind, bathed in light, enticing, paving a road to hell that he'd already stupidly began down.
By this time they'd walked out of the little cemetery. Again he should have told her what she wished to hear but he didn't. Perhaps because he knew, she'd know it was a lie. And she hated liars as did he.
"I think you should be careful," he offered instead. The closer he got the more she agreed. Little alarms were going off in her mind as she could feel herself being drawn in, when he continued, "Those men want something and they won't stop until they get it."
The wolves, yes of course he was talking about the wolves. Embarrassed, she looked down, thinking of Elijah, sweet, kind, Elijah. He didn't make things so complicated.
"Are you worried for me, Niklaus?" She asked, half jokingly, trying to break the tension maybe only she felt.
"Yes." And in truth he was, for more than simple reasons.
This was why she'd been avoiding Harte Manor. Not because of Elijah or even the wolves, but because of this. The way he looked at her. It made her feel like everything she hated. It made her liar.
"What is it exactly that you wish from me, Niklaus?"
There was no reason for him to be here. He kept showing up, saying the most unusual things to her. Looking at her like they'd known each other forever. Treating her as if they'd had an entire history that she knew nothing about.
"I do not know." Why had he come? A long moment of silence passed between them, before he did it. Leaning down, slowly giving her time to pull away if she so chose, but she didn't. He was nervous to be honest, leery of what he was possibly involving himself in. Engaging ghosts was a dangerous game. But what could it hurt if it were only once? Mayhaps then the dreams would stop.
Mayhaps, soon enough, less than a week, she'd be dead. And then he'd never know.
It was soft, quick and nothing special.
When he pulled away she looked up at him, unmoved by the entire incident. And all Klaus could think was: light. What did that mean? But light was defiantly the word that came to mind.
Lucifer, if the humans were somehow amazingly correct and this so called God was real, the heavens, hell, everything, then he'd found their Lucifer.
"No fear, I have had better as well," she smirked, cheeky, poo pooping the entire experience. Elijah is what she meant. He was the better kisses she'd had.
It was possibly the most insulting thing, she'd ever said to him. And with a mounting list, that was quite a feat.
Turning away from him, she began to walk away, calling over her shoulder, "You can return to Katerina now that, that has been cleared up."
Not to be out done, he rushed in front of her, pulling her face in his hands, even as she tried to fight him off. Ultimately he won, as he kissed her again, this time a little more boldly- his tongue slipping into her mouth, eventually finding her kissing him back.
Pushing away this time, he fully expected a more worthy response but instead was met with, "How did you move that fast?"As if none of the last fifteen seconds had ever happened.
Annoyed, he pulled her in again, shutting her up. Apparently she still hadn't been kissed properly yet. That or his charm wasn't working; he wasn't doing it for her. The thought of it setting small landmines off, blowing holes in Klaus's substantial ego.
No, that wouldn't do.
This time she did fully submit, for just a moment, before he felt her pulling back. Releasing her, he was fully set to be smug, when she looked up at him confused, a strange smile spreading over her lips, Anne's smile, before it was accompanied with a palm hot against his cheek.
Slapping him hard, he barely felt it, while her hand stung. Without a word, she pressed forward with every intention of leaving him until she could hear him behind her. In warning she called back, "Do not follow me!"
And for the first time ever, Klaus obeyed, staying put, watching her go. This time he smiled, smirked rather. It wasn't quite the reaction he was hoping for. He was an idiot for doing it, only further complicating matters, but hell it felt great.
Touching his cheek, where her hand print had quickly disappeared, he watched until her figure disappeared over the moors.
"Lyanna…" he whispered to himself.
Gods, he hated that woman, but found her to be utterly fascinating at the same time.
As Lyanna struggled over the hills, holding her skirts, she brought her fingers to her lips. What had just happened could never happen again.
There was Katerina to consider and Elijah. But when Elijah kissed her, although pleasant, wonderful really, it felt nothing like that.
"Touch yourself…." His voice was sly and encouraging. She couldn't see him but she knew its source immediately.
She could refuse. She could easily deny him as she had so many times before. Every bold gesture he'd made. Every advance he'd tried and she'd quickly thwarted. But what could it hurt now?
It was the only time; she didn't feel the underpinnings of repulsion, only desire.
She'd found herself, lying on a bed that wasn't hers, in a room she'd never seen before. Strange objects scattered about, masks, odd trinkets… the smell of blood in the air. And the face that hover just out of sight.
Kol.
Lilly was vaguely aware that she was dreaming, the same kinds of dreams, night after night, each one becoming more bold than the last. Deciding to comply, she reached down to pull up her skirts, slide her fingers beneath. But instead she found herself in a state of complete undress, save her small clothes.
She could have sworn she was clothed moments before.
Spreading her thighs, she dipped her hand between her legs, as she'd done only a few times before, in the privacy of her own rooms.
"Yes," a voice encouraged as cotton was pressed aside exposing wet, slick, pink tissue.
She toyed with the outer folds for a moment, tracing them, listening to his heavy breathing, taunting him, before sinking her fingers inside, a soft gasp escaping her lips.
"Take them off," he directed huskily, instructing her to strip herself of the remaining cloth. Knowing what he meant but unwilling to play along, she reached for the thin material that clothed her breasts, dragging it over her head, tossing it to the side.
Pinching her nipples, her thumb pressed aside the cotton between her thighs further as a soft sucking noise filled the room, with her labor.
"Faster," he ordered, causing her to slow even further: finger tips, tracing the bud at the apex of her thighs, ignoring his requests, circling slowly as she moaned, enjoying the fact that she could hear his breaths grow rigid.
"Touch yourself, as well," she requested, spreading her thighs further as encouragement, pushing her small clothes over her knees, exposing herself completely.
Opening her eyes, she could see the body had not followed her requests, causing her to close her thighs in challenge.
"Continue," he urged further, Kol's voice edged with a kind of desperation she'd never heard.
"No, touch yourself," she answered, spreading her ankles giving a small preview.
She watched as he stepped into view still unwilling to submit, instead grabbing her ankles himself, prying her knees apart.
"I'd rather, watch you," her coaxed, his cheek brushing her legs, floating down her thigh, resting intimately close as she obeyed.
With each thrust of her fingers, he licked his lips, encouraging their perversion.
"You want me, Lilly?" he questioned, his breath hot on her opening.
"No," she answered, lying.
He nudged her hand over, tasting her briefly, driving her close to the edge, before pulling back, "I think you lie."
She could feel a pressure building, escalating the more intently he watched her, encouraging, "You will submit, Lilly."
She wanted to submit.
With that fluid rushed between her legs, a moan escaping through her lips, her nipples becoming painfully erect, as she contracted around her own fingers, and finally her eyes popping open in reality.
Coming out of her dream, she sat up in bed, looking around the familiar room.
What had just happened? Had she been anything but alone, wetness pooling between her thighs beneath the sheets, she might have been embarrassed.
But surely no one would know.
Except for Kol, who smiled to himself painfully excited as his eyes also lazily opened. Pulling himself from her mind, in a home over the hill, he smiled to himself, "Only a matter of time, sweet Lilly."
The closer they got to the full moon the worse things got. A chair flew past Lyanna's head, bursting against the wall, shaking the chandler.
Swallowing, Lyanna attempted to stay calm, as Lilly's eyes fluctuated from yellow, to brown, then back to yellow with rage.
"I want you to tell me!" She yelled.
Katerina looked wildly at Lyanna, scared, hoping for some sort of answer.
"Katerina, will you excuse us please?" She wasn't a fool and the more time that wore on, the worse Lilly's behaviors became, the less Katerina was willing to patiently turn a blind eye and let her questions go unanswered.
Waiting for Katerina to leave, Lyanna calmly started, "What do you wish to know?"
"Who are they?"
"They're part of the pack."
"What do they want?"
Solemnly, she replied, "You. They most likely want you dead, me as well. They want the lands. They want it all and they want the stone." There was no use keeping it from her now.
As her words sunk in, Lilly paused in thought, her eyes changing back to brown. "Why do they think they can have Greyshaw? Why do they want us dead?" she finally questioned.
Lyanna's answer would last well into an hour as she finally told her sister in law all the things she'd never said before. She explained that Nathaniel was the pack leader, that the Lockwood's had always been pack leaders, that the lands were originally belonged to the pack, back to the pagan days. She confessed Nathaniel's sins, how he'd slept with a member's wife, carried on a brief affair. Lilly was dumbfounded when Lyanna explained that the woman had eventually had a child, that her husband had rallied the pack against Nathaniel, eventually performing a coup and killing him.
They feared that if she turned, Lilly could challenge his authority. But mostly they wanted the lands, now that Nathaniel was dead without a legitimate child. And most of all they wanted the moonstone. The rock, the Lockwood's had guarded so carefully over the years. The stone Lyanna had dropped into the lake poisoned with Wolfsbane, days after her husband's death.
And when it was all over and Lilly finally understood the gravity of their situation, she simply asked, "What do we do now?"
If Lyanna only knew.
Four days until the full moon. Worried for Katerina's safety, with Lilly's ever growing unstable moods, the threat of the pack, Lyanna did the one thing she could think.
Walking into Harte Manor, she wished to walk straight out as she made eye contact with Niklaus and Elijah, both men waiting for her.
"Lyanna," Elijah reached for her, kissing her hand, making Niklaus nauseous, "What do we owe this honor? Is something wrong? I could have come to you."
"I am sorry for such an abrupt arrival; however I was hoping you could help me with something."
As Elijah guided her to chair, she purposely made it a point to not look in Niklaus's direction. It had been two days since their kiss. She'd thought of it a hundred times, dreamt of it. If she looked at him now, she almost feared her sins would be laid bare for all to see. That Elijah would know and even worse, Niklaus would know he'd had that kind of effect on her.
"Lilly is sick again and I fear for Katerina being so close."
"It is not serious, is it?" Both brothers' knew the sickness Lilly had, the only cure the passing of the full moon.
"I am not sure. To be safe, I would prefer to not expose Katerina."
"Of course."
"Would it be possible for her to stay with you both, for a period of time? Until Lilly has recovered?"
The situation could not have been any more perfect. Four days from a full moon, soon the curse would be broken. Katerina at Harte Manor only served to cut out a few steps in the plan.
"Of course, we would be more than happy to host Katerina," Elijah answered a little too eagerly. Until this point, Niklaus had been quiet as Lyanna offered her thanks, rising to leave.
Motioning to Elijah, his brother quickly rose, excusing himself, "Lyanna, if you could wait one moment. I would like to introduce you to someone."
As Elijah went to find Ines, Lyanna was left in the exact situation she'd hoped to avoid, being alone with Niklaus.
She stood walking over the nearest bookcase, intently reading the spine of every book in view, doing anything to look busy as she prayed that he'd keep his distance, letting dead dogs lie. Seemed God wasn't interested in her prayers.
Her hand came to rest on Facetiae, when she could feel him behind her.
"Lyanna are you avoiding me?"
When she didn't respond, instead holding her breath, he had his answer. He was selfish, always had been, never caring for anyone else's feelings, opinions. Reaching out, he smirked a little, tracing the laces on the back of her dress, provocatively, refusing to be ignored, when she finally answered, "Stop."
"Stop what?" he answered innocently.
"What you are doing. It will not work, so stop."
"What am I doing?" yes he most certainly was toying with her. He knew what he was doing, prodding her, hoping for a reaction. Desperate for anything, if it meant he wasn't ignored.
"Playing your little game," she answered, turning, book in hand, like a shield.
"What game?"
"This, this game," side stepping him, so she was no longer cornered, his movements immediately matched hers. "Where you attempt to manipulate emotion from me."
"Manipulate emotion?" He wasn't trying to manipulate anything, it was written all over her face from the moment she'd entered Harte Manor.
Refusing to cower, as he moved a little closer, again wanting to elicit a reaction, she answered plainly, "It is not real," Stopping him in his tracks.
"What?"
"Whatever it is that you think I am, that you have imagined in your mind, I am not. So you can stop your efforts now."
"I haven't done a thing," again feigning innocence, annoying the hell out of her. It was like he thought she was some type of idiot and had imagine it all or worse wasn't intelligent enough to figure out his strategy.
Quirking her eyebrow she stared him exasperatedly for a moment before reaching out, grabbing neck of his tunic, tugging him towards her. Forcefully she kissed him, her tongue slipping into his mouth, surprising him. It was over in less than seconds as she nudged him away, dropping his shirt.
"See what I mean," she answered. "Nothing's changed. It is no more real than it was moments before. The mystery is solved. The victory goes to you, congratulations," she snarked.
The words no more had come out of her mouth, than he'd had he pressed up against the bookcase, finishing what she'd begun moments before. Only this time, hands wandered a little more suggestively, teeth nipped at lips, scrapped over skin, making a wet hot trail.
Had he not heard Elijah and Ines on the stairs, it would have continued, long enough for Lyanna to pull her thoughts together, come to her senses and push him off. Quickly separating, he calmly walked to the other side of the room, just in time for their arrival, leaving Lyanna looking confused and slightly disheveled.
Ines knew she was there long before Elijah found her. The energy changing subtly the moment the woman had stepped foot onto the Mikaelson lands. What they walked into only confirmed whatever thoughts she was already having.
"Lyanna, is everything all right?" Elijah questioned, somewhat concern, looking to his brother then back at her. What was Niklaus playing at now?
"Yes," she answered quickly.
It was a mistake, but without thinking she looked up making eye contact with Niklaus, falling victim. Instantly her cheeks burned a little pinker, thoughts of their kiss flooding back.
Lyanna looked cautiously at the older woman, knowing something was off about her. As they introduced their guest, their explanation for her presence was thin to say the least. The entire room stood still for moments as the brothers intently watch the brief interaction between the woman and Lyanna. The exposure would prove to be enough, Niklaus hoped, what little it was, for the witch to give him the information he sought.
When Lyanna left she let Elijah accompany her to the carriage for a lengthy goodbye. As plans were made for a visit the next day, she surprised him by leaning in, perched on the foot peddle, kissing him.
It was ardent, lengthy, holding the promise of something more, but to Lyanna screaming of desperation, her desperation to forget what had happened earlier.
Submitting, willingly, joyously, Elijah kissed her back, hands slipping around her waist, pulling her down slightly, cradling behind her back.
It was different from the one she'd shared with Niklaus: his demanding, animalistic. Elijah's style was completely contrary: a conversation, subtle back and forth, less about domination. Both left her confused, with a dull ache between her thighs, heated, agonizing thoughts for the short ride home.
When they parted, she glanced back at the Harte Manor, somehow aware that he was watching although not sure, her efforts screaming, "THIS IS REAL. YOU ARE NOT!"
But he was real as was she. Watching from the widow, as his brother bid Lyanna goodbye, Niklaus felt the all too familiar burning pains of annoyance, which later, much later, to be accurate, a decade, he'd finally diagnose as jealousy.
Watching the carriage pull away Niklaus questioned, "Well?"
Ines pondered a few moments before answering, "There is something there, most certainly. I could feel it as she pulled onto the grounds."
Reentering the room, Niklaus could have sworn satisfied, smug, Elijah caught onto the last part of Ines's observation.
"Yes and what is it?" Niklaus questioned, impatiently.
"I need blood to know for sure, I can't know the nature of it without. But there is something there, a connection between you and that woman, a spell, I am certain."
Confirming things Niklaus already knew, feared, repeating the same prognosis as Constance, years past. Driving another wedge between him and Elijah as his brother heard the same conclusions, shifting uncomfortably.
She was connected to Niklaus, in too many ways to count. But she was connected to Elijah as well. Making him not wish to admit but know, that he worried for her as well as Katerina each day that drew closer to the full moon.
Taking his hands, she drug him forward, eyes drawing him in, playful, enticing.
"Whatever shall we do, Elijah?'
It's familiar, a little too familiar to be innocent. Mayhaps they were spending too much time around one another. If he wasn't mistaken he could sense her seeking him out more often, her behavior increasingly flirtatious. Her affect on him had become hard to ignore as Katerina stayed with them and Lyanna became increasingly more absent.
"And where is Lyanna, today?" It was out of context, but he sought to divert the building tension between them, as he looked out over the grounds, in the direction of Greyshaw.
She stiffened for a moment at the mention of Lady Lockwood's name. "Who knows?"
Elijah felt guilty for even mentioning it, shifting the mood between him and Katerina.
Though he found himself, waiting in anticipation for each visit, thinking of Lyanna often, wishing to steal another kiss he also found himself thinking other thoughts: these more ravenous, colored with another type of confusion.
Mayhaps it was because she looked so much like Tatia. She acted so much Tatia. It was difficult for him to separate fact from fiction, history from present. But at night, when Lyanna would drift out of his mind, Katerina would move in with considerable force.
Musings on her smell, her smile and other indecent thoughts. Where he wished to care for Lyanna, couldn't control himself from forming a friendship, no matter how much Niklaus discouraged it, he found himself wishing nothing more than to ravage Katerina. Be greedy with his hands, instead of his words.
In truth, fulfill all the desires he'd not acted upon with Tatia.
"Shall we play a game?" her words holding such promise, if he wasn't mistaken a clear libidinous texture to them. There was something very carnal about Katerina, begging to be flirted out, fondled into nauseam.
"What would you like to do, My Lady?" he could feel himself falling into it, shamelessly being led by her child like innocence that was absurdly paired with her lascivious nature.
Her hands slipped from his, a sideways glance as she bit the edge of her lip, "Mayhaps you should catch me and I'll let you decide," she teased as she started ahead of him, begging to be followed.
"You have to chase me! You're meant to catch me," she whined.
"But if I catch you, the game will be over."
Ending their playful sprint, she came to a stop.
"Thank you for entertaining me."
"Oh, you looked lonely inside so I took pity on you," he teased. Truthfully he wanted nothing more but to spend the day with her.
As she sat on the small wooden bench, Katerina replied breathlessly, all joy dropping from her face, "Klaus promised to spend the day with me, but he never returned home from the night."
They'd last seen Niklaus at the noon meal yesterday before he disappeared from Harte Manor for the rest of the day, not returning all evening, leaving Katerina wilted from his lack of attention.
"Yes, Klaus does not live by any rules but his own."
"He is a very charming man. Hard for anyone to resist, I suppose..."
"And yet…" And yet, she could see that a woman should want more. They should wish to be adored, conversed with, thought of as he did Lyanna and now as he found himself wishing to show Katerina.
"I know not why he called me," continued to call upon her, requesting her presence, before she came to stay at Harte Manor, "he seems to not care about me at all."
"Many a union has been built on much less." It had been close to two months that his brother had been stringing along her affections. Most likely, as a human she assumed he was courting her, hoping for a proposal in the end.
"Is it wrong to want more?" Elijah sat beside her, "Do you have more with Trevor?" It was difficult to ignore, especially with his frequent visits to Greyshaw, Trevor's persistent presence there and his non- too subtle attentions paid to Katerina. All things, Niklaus, who was always gone, overlooking details, failed to notice.
"Trevor believes that he loves me, but true love is not real unless it's returned. Do you agree?" No doubt Trevor had professed his love (fake presumably) multiple times to entice Katerina into a physical relationship. Stupidly so, he was playing with fire and bound to get burned by Klaus if he was discovered. However it seemed either way, Trevor's fate would be short lived. If he loved Katerina then it was only poetic that Klaus had decided that he would be their vampire for the sacrifice.
"I do not believe in love, Katerina." And he was almost sure that he meant it. Niklaus was right when he accused him of having feelings for Lyanna. He cared for her, but he did not know if he could call it love. Years ago, he'd learned how foolish that could be.
As Katerina locked him in one of her beckoning glances, he felt himself swallow. Memories of Tatia, painful ones coming back and new revelations about similar desires, wants, needs towards Katerina flooding him.
She's not the same, he tried to reassure himself.
"That is too sad for me to accept, my lord. Life is too cruel. If we cease to believe in love, why would we want to live?"
Before he had time to respond, Niklaus had appeared, blood staining his clothing, disheveled from his night of mindless fucking, feeding and debauchery- all things he'd done to distract himself from the other things, Lyanna type things, that had been plaguing his mind. As he guided her away, shooting his brother a knowing glance, Elijah felt sick.
What was life without feelings? And he had an eternity. He wished too often that Lyanna and Katerina did not question things, he'd set so firmly in his mind.
It well past the mid of night. There was a brief knock before she'd let herself in, without invitation. Niklaus would like to say that he was surprised, expected something different, but in reality the whole situation was just too cliché.
Her shifts hung off her shoulders, much too provocative to be natural. It was staged, the whole thing. Her look, her words, the context, made it all that less exciting, enticing, interesting, than what it was already lacking.
She hovered next to him, undoubtedly thinking of something to say, to break the tension.
"I missed you," she smiled. Everything about it felt wrong, too familiar. Tatia's face looking back at him, manipulative, cunning, wishing to create love from nothing, lust, desire, the requisition of something that could never be anyone's. As if she hadn't been toying with Elijah as well, Trevor and any man that would cross her path, give her even a moment's time.
The only thing she missed was constant affection, its source didn't' matter.
Neither amused nor enticed, he answered half heartedly, "Did you?"
The shift slid further from her shoulder, non- too subtly, exposing beast, areola, as if it were an accident.
"Of course," she answered, looking up at him from under heavy eyelashes, feigning innocence, terribly so.
His forehead wrinkled as he paid her a moment's glance before looking back out the window, into the darkness that had settled over the moors.
What was the widow Lockwood, Lyanna, doing now? Perhaps readying herself for bed, speaking with Lilly, cradling a cup of tea as she peered over her books, her hands blotted with ink as her forehead wrinkled in thought, penning another letter to Elijah, thinking of Elijah, dreaming of Elijah.
"Klaus?" Her hands crept up his shoulder, down to his stomach, her body leaning into him in an attempt to be seductive.
"Do you not want me?" She questioned, her shift slipping completely now from her shoulders, exposing both breasts.
No. He didn't. Not for anything more than possibly a meal, an immediate short fuck, and no conversation. Gods, had Tatia been so obvious and obnoxious? How naïve he must have been then. The more time he spent around Katerina, the more she reminded him of Tatia. The more he questioned his previous feelings, memories, delving into the past, beginning to separate reality from confused youthful lust.
Mayhaps Lyanna retired early. Mayhaps she didn't. He could imagine her staying up, much like himself, unable to sleep. Busying herself with things to occupy her time as everyone enjoyed peace, which seemed to elude them both.
He wondered if she wore that same white shift he'd seen her in before. Did she braid her hair before bed? Did she kneel and pray? What did she read when she was alone? What were her last thoughts before she fell asl-…
Why the hell was he thinking these things? What did it matter? Lyanna Lockwood could suffer through hell for all he cared.
"Yes," he answered, clearing his throat, his eyes still focused over the moors, in the direction of Greyshaw Manor for another moment.
"Liars," her voice repeating in his mind. He was a liar.
"Lay down," he ordered, his thoughts still focused elsewhere. Unashamedly she let her shift drop to the floor as she stepped out of it. He didn't have to be a healer, a priest, or even a close confidant to know that he'd not be Katerina's first. At times he could smell other men on her, Elijah and other unfamiliar scents.
She'd thought she was so careful, so crafty. Stupid little girl, did she not know he'd seen her kind? He'd already been down that road. She was nothing new, nothing exceptional, her tricks old, inflections worn, mysteries already solved.
As she crawled on the four poster bed, pressed herself back into the pillows, slowly spread herself for him, he'd obliged and undressed himself. His movements slow, she probably assumed from distraction. And she'd be right. He was distracted.
Did Lyanna have someone keep watch? Was she careful around Lilly? Did she wake with the sunrise or was she a late sleeper? When she dreamed was it Elijah that she saw or was it her late husband? And when she wasn't so careful, when she let her mind wander… did he ever drift through her scattered thoughts?
It was such a strange turn of events over the past few weeks. The doppelganger had begun to involve herself with Elijah, drawing his brother back into a sea of memories of a woman years past. He could see the way he looked at her. It was the same way (if he was introspective at all) he looked at Lyanna.
He watched his brother stumbling with his own private morality, enticed by Katerina, holding onto Lyanna, running to her rather for comfort. Had he known better (maybe because he wouldn't allow himself to think such things) he knew Elijah had developed feelings for Lyanna, pure affections but couldn't control himself from lusting after Katerina.
He saw the way Lyanna reacted to Elijah. So relaxed around him, natural in his company and he hated him for it. Where she'd avoid Niklaus, scorn his every attempt for conversation, she'd accept his brother with open arms.
Did she not know they were both monsters?
As he sunk into Katerina, violating her in every way imaginable throughout the night, he thought of Elijah. He may have Lyanna's affection, her trust. But he had Katerina's body. Something they both knew Elijah sought just as ardently as Klaus did Lyanna light.
Katerina mewled beneath his, at times whispering promises of love. All of which went unreturned, unanswered. And when he was done with her, she'd quickly tried to curl herself around him, falling instantly asleep, lulled by the illusion of satisfaction.
Prying her limbs from himself, he crawled out of the bed, returning to the window, continuing his vigil. Somewhere over the moors, she slept.
Frost had etched it way around the each pane, making it increasingly more difficult to see out. Leery of sleep, not wishing again to have that same dream, he reached for pieces of odd charcoal he'd left scattered on the window seal.
As Katerina slept, dreaming of her new lover's affections, envisioning children, a home, a life, that she'd never have, Klaus drew her (not Katerina) out in painstaking details. Closing his eyes, trying to recall every inflection on Hannah's face, the tilt of her mouth as she'd taunted him before her plunge, that night in the canal house.
He drew Anne's eyes, her hands reaching for him as she died. And finally Lyanna: dozens and dozens of sketches of Lyanna. Tracing and re tracing every detail, so familiar and still unique to her.
When the sun had begun to peak over the moors, his hands smudged black, sketches littered around his chair, he looked out over the Lockwood lands one more time.
"No," he answered out loud, weeks too late, without the needed party even present. He finally gave the answer, to the question Lyanna had asked him twice. Did he care for Katerina? No. He'd never care for Katerina.
She didn't ask the right question. That was the problem.
Did he care for Lyanna?
He didn't know it then, actually really he did. As Katerina stirred, he collected the sketches, placing them in the drawer with his other keep sakes.
Yes. He cared for Lyanna. Much more than he wished he did, or was even aware of then. It only complicated matters. No matter how much she interested him, the number of pictures he drew of her, the amount of times he'd had that same dream, it would all end the same.
She'd die.
It was time; finally the full moon had arrived. Throughout the day, he was anxious, pacing around Harte Manor, setting every detail in order. They would have to secure Lilly and Lyanna. As soon as the sun had set over the moors, the brothers would make their way Greyshaw Manor.
It was a solid plan. The only problem, again, was that it didn't account for incidentals.
When dusk was near, Lyanna looked to Lilly whose skin had gone ash with fear.
"What happens now?"
"We wait, Love."
Gathering a few items, Elspeth had tried desperately to stop her from going.
"You are a fool. Let the child go alone."
But she couldn't. Lilly was scared and Lyanna couldn't just leave her to the night. In many weeks since Lammas Day, the evenings had become increasingly chilly, a damp, heavy fog settling over the grounds. Walking past the ruined gardens, Lilly reached for Lyanna's hand as they neared the woods.
She would take her to his spot. The place that Nathaniel had shown her once, where he'd chain himself up, to prevent himself from doing something he'd forever regret.
It seemed like it took forever to get there, as they weaved further into the dark forest. Elspeth was right. She was a damn idiot. They'd be crawling all over the woods on a night like tonight. They'd be waiting for them. They were waiting for Lilly, to kill her.
That's why she'd come. Without a contingency plan, if Lilly was to die, Lyanna would be short behind. And she wouldn't let Lilly die alone.
"This is it?"
Lyanna nodded, looking up the sky, crowded with overlying branches from the tree above.
Shakily Lilly stepped forward, examining the towering rocks, rusty chains wrapped about them.
"You do not have to do this, Lilly." That was a lie; they both knew she had to.
"No, I'll be fine," she replied, pressing herself against the stone, nodding as Lyanna's hands shook with the keys. Unlocking the rusty chains she wrapped them around Lilly tight, an apology in her eyes, before clamping the lock shut.
"Now what?" Lilly whispered, tethered to the large stone.
"We wait," Lyanna answered, wiping sweat from the girl's forehead. And they wouldn't need to wait long, the sky had already grown dark, the forest black. Without a fire, afraid of drawing unwanted attention, Lyanna hovered close, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders.
The screams that began moments later, were as crushing for Lyanna was they were painful for Lilly.
"This will be simple. No mistakes, you understand Kol?"
His brother looked at him ambivalent, "I am not an idiot. I think I can manage."
"A werewolf, really?"
"Please…." Kol commented. Things hadn't gone as he'd planned. He'd tried for weeks, unrelenting with Lilly and she'd never faltered. Now he'd never know. To be honest, part of him was sincerely disappointed; annoyed even that it was him that had to retrieve her, wishing desperately to avoid the betrayal that would inevitably be present in her eyes.
Why couldn't Elijah do it? Simple, someone had to keep watch of the doppelganger and Klaus hadn't volunteered. As planned they'd waited for sunset before starting out. They'd not even bothered to check the house first.
Lyanna wasn't stupid. She knew what was coming. Lilly would change, and a wolf in someone's home was not a welcomed sight. In all of his snooping through the woods, he'd found it. A place he'd assumed someone, some wolf had been using for years. Mayhaps not the Lockwood's, but without a doubt if Lyanna knew of it that is where she'd take her.
Lyanna didn't seem the type to allow Lilly to wander around the countryside, preying on any human's she found. And wherever Lilly was, if Niklaus knew Lyanna, one thing was sure; his Lucifer wouldn't be far behind.
"Lyanna!" she screamed, her body contorting into hideous forms, eyes piercingly yellow. Scrambling, Lyanna reached out, cradling the girl close as he body slammed into Lyanna throwing her back, before falling helpless into the stone.
"I'm here Lilly. I'm not going anywhere."
Her responses were a mixture of screams and growls, heavy panting. First it was her hands, turning from their fleshy white appearance, to black, fir sprouting out everywhere. Next, it was her head, snapping back, teeth descending.
She hadn't even noticed it, but Lyanna had tears streaming down her face as she hovered as close as possible. So caught up in the moment was she, that she'd missed their presence, sets of eyes flickering throughout the dark forest, their paws crunching on undergrowth.
"Lilly, I swear… everything…." Her voice trailed off as the girl fully began to transform, "it will be fine," she finished weakly. She heard them before she saw. Howling, horrible, hideous howling, echoing throughout the forest, threatening.
It was everywhere, behind her, to the side, above and below it seemed, everywhere but in front, Lilly not howling only screaming.
Slowly, Lyanna stood from her place in the dirt, wiped tears from her face, and straightened her back. This was it. Feeling the small dagger, the one Elspeth had handed her before she left, in her pocket, she prayed, "Lord be with us now", before turning.
There were easily close to twenty. Circled around where Lilly was helplessly tethered, they closed in slowly, teeth bared. Subconsciously, Lyanna took a step back, only to feel something nipping at her heels.
Her head whipped back, to find Lilly's clothes in shreds. The loving little sister she'd always known, gone: a huge black wolf, in her place, with yellow eyes, and saliva dripping from her fangs.
"Lilly," she whispered, reaching out, only to have the beast snap at her hand. Swallowing, she knew it was time: now or never.
Digging in the folds of her dress she pulled out her flint stone, a few quick strikes and she had her small piece of cloth lit. Quickly crawling on the ground, she dropped the flaming cloth on what seemed like bare dirt and then rushed back, fire nipping at the edge of her skirt. The wolves were ready to strike, kill, get what they'd come for when they were stopped.
Howling, they snapped at the air, the vision blurring. Wolfsbane, soaked in burning oils, it encircled the rocks, Lilly and Lyanna. Defusing into the air, the smell of it was strong enough to deter the beasts, if not the burn of it against their fur if they approached, it was drying the of the moisture in their eyes and noses, forcing their heads away.
Lilly too howled in response. The poison irritating her senses as well, making it almost unbearable. But they knew this would happen. Painful, it would be for Lilly, but necessary for it would save their lives and hopefully keep the wolves at bay throughout the night. Falling back into the rocks, she moved out of Lilly's grasp, as she growled, snapped and struggled to reach her. Lyanna, pulling her head between her knees.
"Mother Mary, be with us sinners now and in the hour of our death," she prayed, which very well might be soon.
Rocking back and forth, attempting to block out the horrible noises, Lilly's furry and pain, she missed it. One by one the howls turned into fervent snapping, the sounds of fighting taking place out of view, behind the blaze.
When fire had appeared in the distance, Wolfsbane carried on the wind, Klaus and Kol looked at one another, before rushing forward. They'd most certainly found the women, no doubt. Only Lyanna… with her damn Wolfsbane.
The beasts, circled the fire daring to get as close as possible, until they sensed that they were not alone. Heads turned, finding the Vampires as Kol answered, "And I thought this evening would be uneventful."
He hardly got the words out before he was on the ground, struggling with the first wolf to attack. Klaus was shortly behind, fighting them off, throwing them aside.
True, the wolves couldn't kill them but their bites were painful none the less, much less so for Klaus than Kol.
"Lyanna," his voice called to her irritated.
Her head popped up from her knees to find him standing there, in singed clothing. His eyes black, and to her confusion and horror, fangs clearly showing, blood dripping from him.
"Niklaus?" she was scrambling against the rock, as Lilly lunged for him against her chains.
Boldly, a wolf pushed through the flames, half burned, the Wolfsbane weakening its system as it crawled towards Niklaus. Looking down at it, he bent, snapping it neck.
"Time to go, Love," he answered harshly, sarcastically, using her word. Lyanna looked at him horrified. One word screaming through her mind as she looked at his fangs. A dozen small things collecting and piecing together at once: his questions about Vervain, not entering her home, his interest in the wolves, in them.
As another wolf followed its brethren's path jumping across the flames, it was followed by Kol.
"Lyanna, imaging finding you here," he snickered smartly, a wolf surprising him as it bit into his shoulder, eliciting a groan from Kol as he struggled with it.
Lyanna knew not what possessed her as the brothers fought with the wolves that entered the circle. All she could think of was Lilly and Katerina. Lilly would die still chain to the stone. Katerina was trapped inside that home with Vampires.
Lies, Lies, they had all lied to them, making them fools. How could she have done this to Katerina? Her hands were struggling with the key in the lock, torquing it open before her mind could catch up with her actions.
The chains slumped from around Lilly and before Lyanna could think, her little sister was lunging at her, sure to kill her in a fit of rage before something caught her tail, pulling her back.
"Lilly dear, lovely to see you," Kol comment, half shouted as he struggled to control the black wolf, Lilly, as she fought against him, snapping. When another attacked from behind, Kol was forced to release her.
Lyanna still in shock, watched as Lilly took the cue and instead of continuing the attack, strangely looked at Lyanna before taking advantage of the small window in the circle, where the oil had burned low, almost out. Jumping through, she was off, fleeing into the woods.
Leaving Lyanna to think one thing: RUN.
In the middle of fighting both Niklaus and Kol were enthralled with beating off the wolves, she made it out of the circle, sprinting as fast as she could. She had to get to Katerina. She had to find Lilly.
Their howls and screams, growling, the Mikaelson curses echoed behind her and as she looked back, almost tripping over low lying branches she saw him. He may have been distracted but he was not blind.
Caught up the moment, dripping with blood and excitement he looked around to find her missing. Not dead, her body would be there, but missing, as well as his wolf.
"Kol, find Lilly!" he barked. Kol smirking on the ground, a wolf's teeth snapping at his face as he slowly choked air from the animal, "No problem," he groaned.
It took him minutes to find her, spreading out in every direction, throwing the wolves that attempted to trail him. But soon enough he found her, yellow hair flashing through the trees, heavy human breathing.
Catching her by the back of her dress, struggling like a child against an adult, she thrashed against him. Falling back like a rag doll, she could feel him yanking at the neck of her dress, his breath hot on the skin of her neck.
Overcome by animal instinct, adrenaline, victory, lust, aggravation, all of it pumping through him, screaming for blood.
Acting purely on instinct, eyes closed, she fumbled through her skirts, pulling out the blade jabbing it backwards as it sunk into the flesh of his abdomen. Deterring him only momentarily, she ripped the knife from his flesh as he pushed her forward. Struggling back, he was on her in moment, blood dripping from his shirt. Nails scrapped against his cheeks, the skin of his throat, her hands pushing his face away as he bared his fangs. Hastily she lifted the blade again, but this time he caught her hand. With little effort, he stopped her, his fingers digging painfully into her skin, the bones of her wrist on the brink of snapping.
Surprisingly she didn't cry out, she didn't scream. Her brows knitting together in excruciating pain, tears welled in her eyes as she fought to push the blade forward, possibly snapping her wrist in the process. A low, soft cry sounding throughout the forest as the bones shifted against one another other.
Maybe it was the fact that she was willing to allow herself to break, fight back, even if it was pointless. It could have been that she didn't cry, even though he knew she must be in excruciating pain. Or it was the fact that her stare was unwavering throughout the entire struggle. Something about it was so hauntingly familiar, as his mind flashing back to Hannah for less than a second. When he saw tears welling in her eyes, the muscles in her throat tensing with agony, he stopped. Suddenly feeling terrible guilty. He was hurting her. The blade fell to the ground, as Lyanna retracted her arm, like a wounded animal, but stopped when he reached out, grasping it, gentler this time.
Both panting, he forgot about draining her dry for a minute, her attempting to stab him to death as he examined it.
It was broke. He could tell by looking at it and immediately wished he could take it all back. Lyanna flinching as he touched the skin around it. What had he done?
He had to fix it. Why did he have to fix it? Klaus was overwhelmed with a range of emotions all of them painfully unfamiliar and uncomfortable. Forgetting that she'd stabbed him, everything that had happened minutes before. He looked up from her wrist to see her fighting back tears, too proud to cry.
"Lyanna…." He murmured.
Bringing his own wrist to his mouth, he did something he'd never done before. Piercing the skin, blood trickled out of the veins. Holding it out to her, he ordered, "Drink, it will help."
She shook her head, a tear rolling down the side of her face, as she tried to bring her arm back to caudal. Struggling to get away from him, she had to get to Katerina and Lilly.
But he pulled her back, thwarting her efforts.
"DRINK!" he commanded more sternly.
"No."
"Damn you, Lyanna! Do not be so stubborn. You are hurt."
"And you did it."
The vein had closed by now, rehealing itself. Only Lyanna would argue at a moment like this.
"You stabbed me," he defended, irritated.
"You tried to bite me," she shot back.
She had him there. Instinct had taken over, he'd momentarily forgotten about the Vervain.
"You ran from me."
"You were trying to kill me!"
Yes that was right. He had forgotten. He was in the middle of trying to kill her. Only Lyanna could argue her way out of death.
"Yes, well plans change."
"How fortunate for you."
He was so wrapped up in their argument that he hadn't noticed that she'd fingered the blade with her other hand, grasping the handle.
"For me? I am not the one whom is injured."
Without further invitation, she stabbed him again, the knife sinking into his side. Not wasting a moment she scrambled from the ground to run.
Wincing, Klaus pulled the blade from below his last rib, "Now you just did that to irritate me." But she didn't hear, not looking back she clutched her arm to chest, dodging trees. She could see the lake in view, if she could just get to the lake. It was only so much further. Her feet hit rocks, less than a yard from the water when she was pulled back hard, slamming into what felt like a rock- otherwise known as Niklaus.
"We were not finished with our argument yet."
Struggling, she answered, "Let me finish it from inside the lake." The harder she fought against his grasp, the tighter he held her.
"No, no. That will not due. See we both know that gives you an unfair advantage."
"Let us try it out and just see," she grunted. And damn her, but he couldn't help but smile, even in a moment like this, almost dying twice, always coming back with some witty reply.
"Too cold, Ly, you will freeze." Ly? Why had he started calling her Ly? Not even Elijah called her that, only Lilly and Katerina.
As he pulled her back away from the water, she did the only thing she could think, she answered, "I will take my chances," before biting him hard on the arm. Releasing her more from shock than from pain, he stammered, "You bit me."
"You tried to bite me!" she fired back, like a child.
"You stabbed me, twice."
"You deserved it," She answered, nodding to her arm still cradled against her chest.
"I offered to remedy that situation."
What were they doing? Realizing that he was no longer holding her, she turned dashing back, her feet hitting the water before he could grab her again. Wading fast, it was past her knees; far enough from shore that he'd dare not wander out, before she turned.
The water was like ice, her breath fogging in front of her face.
Shivering, she tried to stand up straight, look formidable but the shock was wearing off, her arm was throbbing, her knees rattling together, water lapping around her.
"Lyanna, Pet, come out of the water," he tried gentler this time. He should be focused on killing her but all her could think about was how miserable she looked. She'd catch her death out there.
"Niklaus, Love," she shot back just as condescending, "you address me as Pet, one more time and I swear I will make good on my promise."
Never mind, he thought. Let her catch some horrible illness and suffer.
"Now that would be difficult, with you out there and me here."
"True, you should be a gentleman and come out here to accommodate me."
"I could think of other ways to accommodate you," it was not meant to sound sexual but it did.
Making a face, she answered, "I will pass." Ending their conversation as he began pacing the shore and she began trying to plot how she could get to Lilly and Katerina.
This continued for quite some time as they were at an impasse.
When she could stand it no longer, she started to crumple to her knees, she entire upper half surrounded by water as she huddled into herself for warmth. Her eyes were closing; maybe she'd be lucky and just die out here. At this point she was too weak to fight.
Standing on the shore, he'd been pacing for an hour, waiting. Until finally he could take it no more, she looked so pathetic, clearly in pain, exhausted and would freeze to death if he didn't intervene.
The night was damn near wasted now. What if Kol hadn't found Lilly? Why did he care so much that she was in pain?
Didn't he plan on killing her after Ines solved the mystery?
"Damn you, Lyanna."
With thinking any further on the matter, he waded into the lake, water burning his skin, eliciting a hiss as he trudged further. Bending he picked her up, without resistance. She couldn't have fought it she wanted to.
Her body was shaking uncontrollably as he stepped on the shore.
"Why are you so stubborn? You would have frozen to death."
"I-I-m d-dd-dead an-any h-how," she chattered.
"Shh…" he hushed, annoyed, confused, and concerned.
As he trudged through the forest, she finally answered, "D-do n-not t-t-think th-this means you have –s-saved me."
"I have most certainly saved you."
"Just before you kill me."
Again, why? What were these strange feelings? It was guilt. Oh how he hated it. It was so bitter and haunting as she shivered against him, the Vervain burning his skin.
Oh, what the hell, her hours were number anyhow. For the first time, ever, he said it and meant it whole heartedly, "I'm sorry, Lyanna. I am sorry I hurt you."
"I must be dying."
"Now why would you say that?"
She smiled, weakly, "You apologized," knowing the end was near.
"Are you ever quiet?" he snapped, as she called him out.
"Yes, when I am alone and you are nowhere in sight. Let us try it."
"Clever, no I have plans for you."
"Take me back to the lake," she deadpanned.
"Shh… rest."
"Niklaus… I will let you kill me."
'Let', he loved her choice of words.
"Just do not harm Lilly or Katerina," she murmured beginning to fade out of consciousness from shock.
There you go, tons of angst. Tons of Lyanna/ Klaus/ Katerina/ Elijah feels. Yes, there is one more chapter for Lyanna.
3 months we will spend in Scrathclyde and its only month 2 (hint, hint) and by the way, next chapter will be the incoming of some long overdue smut. In fact, we've had enough angst, everyone is getting laid next chapter. Promise.
Hey do me a favor and review! Thank you so much to everyone that reads, follows, favs and reviews. You guys are great.
